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Monday, June 28, 2010

Pomodoros Greek & Italian Café

Start with a Greek family steeped in tradition that has been in the restaurant business for generations and the rest will work itself out!

Tommy Tsiros, owner of Pomodoros, grew up in his dad’s restaurants, who grew up in his dad’s restaurants in Nostimo, Greece and etc. You get the idea. A lot of tradition and wonderful family recipes have been passed down from generation to generation. Neither of the Pomodoros Cafés look like an old world eatery, they both have a fresh welcoming look and feel to them. Whether you like the East location on Tunnel Road or the new South location on Long Shoals Road – both will offer the same excellent menu and service.

The menus offer a variety of opportunity from Italy, Greece and regional cuisine so you must come ready to make a decision. I’ve always been delighted with whatever I order at either store. Tommy works hard to ensure quality is forefront in what his guests receive. You will find him working most nights along side his dedicated staff.

And don’t forget the wine. Pomodoros believes that ‘wine is an integral part of your meal’. This is why a lot of hard work has gone into creating an award winning wine list for you to enjoy. Tommy chooses wine that will pair with the food on his menus as well as tempt your palate. To make it even more tempting, every Wednesday all bottles of wine are half price!

Now let’s talk food! One of my favorite appetizers is the Mussels mé ouzo which offers Prince Edward Island mussels in a lemon-ouzo cream sauce, tomatoes, green onions, garlic and topped with feta cheese and fresh herbs. The aroma takes your senses as soon as the bowl arrives; but wait until you sink your teeth into these mussels, wow! Be sure to ask for extra bread to sop up the sauce, it’s amazing.

Another favorite is the Chicken Nostimon (which you can order as a filet instead of chicken – great, either way). Pair the dish with sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese, Kalamata olives and a lemon herb beurre blanc along side of sautéed spinach and rosemary roasted potatoes. Your mouth should be watering by now! I love the combination of flavors that marry into this dish.

Of course, if you prefer pasta and seafood you will have to try the Pasta Athena. Resting on a bed of linguine and baby spinach are sea scallops, tiger shrimp and mussels that are sautéed in olive oil, garlic, shallots, Kalamata olives and tomatoes in white wine sauce with fresh lemon. Once again, the flavor combinations will have you eating more than you should.

With so many Italian restaurants in and around Asheville, there are only a few that I will dine at regularly – Pomodoros is one of them. Two convenient locations makes heading out to Pomodoros that much easier for us. Try them again or for the first time soon, you won’t be disappointed.